New York police consider pistol cameras

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — It’s called the PistolCam — a digital camera the size of a pager that can be attached under a police officer’s gun barrel.

A New York police department could become the first law enforcement agency in the nation to use the devices.

Officials in the Hudson Valley city of Newburgh are looking into acquiring PistolCams after several shooting incidents involving police.

According to officials, the PistolCam automatically begins recording as soon as the officer draws his weapon. Authorities say it can be used to back up officers’ version of events much in the same way as dashboard video cameras.

The sheriff’s office SWAT team in Orange County, where Newburgh is located, is also expected to try out the devices in the coming months.